Competitive rowers will take to the waters of Oakland’s Lake Merritt this week during the 2018 USRowing Masters National Championships, organizers said on August 13, 2018.

More than 1,300 rowers from across the country are expected at the event, according to Visit Oakland.

Races will be held from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on August 16 through August 19. The event is free to spectators. Food trucks will be on hand and a beer garden featuring local breweries will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

An opening reception will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. August 16 at the Lake Chalet restaurant’s docks on Lake Merritt, which is next to the starting line, according to Allie Neal, public relations manager at Visit Oakland.

The USRowing National Team Coach Mike Teti, along with some rowing team members, will speak from 7 to 8 p.m.

Parking is available at the Kaiser Center Garage on August 17 at the garage’s normal rates. On August 18 and August 19, parking at the Kaiser garage will be $5 for all-day, special event parking. Shuttle buses will operate between the Kaiser garage and the Boat House at the lake on 5-to-7 minute intervals from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. August 18 and August 19. The shuttles will depart the Kaiser garage from the 21st Street (near Harrison Street) side of the garage.

The Oakland Convention Center Garage at Clay and 11th streets will also have parking available. Shuttles will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day from the Convention Center and the Oakland Marriott City Center. The shuttle stop will be on 10th Street near Broadway.

Public transportation is recommended for each day of the event. Two BART stations are close to the lake – the 12th Street/Oakland City Center station, adjacent to the Marriott and the shuttle on 10th Street, and the other is the Lake Merritt station, with a shuttle bus operation August 16 through August 19, with pick up at Oak and 8th streets.